Seismic yielding connection

ABSTRACT

The disclosed technology provides a seismic yielding connector. The seismic yielding connector includes a U-shaped plate configured to connect a side stud of a panel to another component of a panel and a yielding plate located between the U-shaped plate and the side stud of the panel. A high-strength bolt connects the U-shaped plate, the yielding plate, and the side stud of the panel to a structural column. A bushing is located between the U-shaped plate and the structural column.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation application of U.S.Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 16/149,976 entitled “SeismicYielding Connection,” filed on Oct. 2, 2018, which is a Non-Provisionalapplication based on and claims benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/567,446 entitled “Seismic Yielding Connection,”filed on Oct. 3, 2017, all of which are incorporated by reference hereinfor all that they disclose and teach.

BACKGROUND

Earthquakes may release sudden and significant forces on the structureof a building. Buildings in areas prone to earthquakes are often builtto withstand the forces of an earthquake using shear panels andassemblies, structural tie-downs, and dampening systems. However, thesesolutions may require extensive structural augmentation and may becostly.

SUMMARY

The described technology addresses one or more of the foregoing problemsby providing a seismic yielding connector. The seismic yieldingconnector includes a U-shaped plate configured to connect a side stud ofa panel to another component of a panel and a yielding plate locatedbetween the U-shaped plate and the side stud of the panel. Ahigh-strength bolt connects the U-shaped plate, the yielding plate, andthe side stud of the panel to a structural column. A bushing is locatedbetween the U-shaped plate and the structural column.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a seismic yielding panel with seismicyielding connectors connecting a panel to structural columns.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an example seismic yieldingconnector connecting a panel to a structural column.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example seismic yielding connector connecting apanel to a structural column.

FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of an example seismic yielding connectorconnecting a panel to a structural column.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of an example seismic yieldingconnector connecting a panel to a structural column.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of an example seismic yieldingconnector connecting a panel to a structural column, where threadedconnector plates are used inside the structural column.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of an example seismic yieldingconnector connecting a panel to a structural column, where threadedconnector plates are used inside the structural column.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate example seismic yielding connectorsimplemented on I beams. FIG. 8A illustrates a top view of an exampleseismic yielding connector implemented on an I beam. FIG. 8B illustratesa front view of an example seismic yielding connector implemented on anI beam.

FIG. 9 illustrates example operations for assembling a seismic yieldingconnector to connect a panel to a structural column.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an example seismic yielding panel 100 with seismicyielding connectors 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, and 112 connecting a panel114 to structural columns 116 and 118. The seismic yielding panel 100may be used in conjunction with other seismic yielding panels inconstruction of a cold-formed steel building. For example, the panel 114may be prefabricated and assembled at a construction site. The seismicyielding panel 100 may be used in areas where earthquakes are morelikely to ensure that buildings can withstand seismic forces. Though thepanel 114 is shown as a V-braced horizontal truss panel, other types ofpanels with other configurations and structural assemblies, such asmoment frames, may be augmented with the seismic yielding connection.

During construction of a building the panel 114 is attached to thestructural columns 116 and 118 using the seismic yielding connectors.The structural columns 116 and 118 may be hollow structural section(HSS) columns and may have a variety of cross-sectional shapes,including, without limitation square or rectangular cross-sections. Thestructural columns 116 and 118 each include openings (not shown) forreceiving a high-strength bolt as part of the seismic yieldingconnector. Depending on the location of the structural columns 116 and118, each of the structural columns 116 and 118 may be connected to oneor more than one panel. For example, a structural column located at acorner of a building may be connected to two panels, while a structuralcolumn located along an outside wall of a building at a point where aninterior wall meets the outside wall may be connected to three panels.

The seismic yielding connectors 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, and 112 makeconnections between the panel 114 and the structural columns 116 and 118that are stiff enough to mobilize the inherent stiffness of the panel114, which helps control damage during small earthquake ground motions.Bushings in the seismic yielding connectors 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, and112 allow the seismic yielding connectors to plastically deform during aseismic event, dissipating the energy in the system as a whole.Accordingly, the panel 114, the seismic yielding connectors 102, 104,106, 108, 110, and 112, and the structural columns 116 and 118 are lesslikely to be damaged during a seismic event.

As shown in FIG. 1, the panel 114 is a V-braced horizontal truss panelwith a top track 26 and a bottom track 28. Inboard of the top track 26is a continuous horizontal brace comprised of back-to-back (web-to-web)tracks 30 and 32, (referred to as double horizontal bracing), which areanchored by the seismic yielding connector 104 to side stud 36 and bythe seismic yielding connector 110 to side stud 38 at the sides of thepanel 114. The area between the continuous horizontal brace formed bythe tracks 30 and 32 and the top track 26 contains vertical angledwebbing made from studs. This braced area supports and transfersvertical and lateral forces exerted on the panel 114 to the columns 116and 118 attached to each of the side studs 36 and 38 of the V-bracedhorizontal truss panel.

The panel 114 also has two inboard studs 44 and 46 and a center stud 48anchored by fastening plates 34 to the top and bottom tracks 26 and 28and to the tracks 30 and 32. The side studs 36 and 38 pass through endcutouts in the ends of the web 14 and in the lips 18 of the tracks 30and 32 such that the flanges 16 of the studs 36 and 38 abut the flanges16 at the ends of the tracks 26, 28, 34, and 36. The fastening plates 34are at these abutment areas. Similarly, the inboard studs 44 and 46 andthe center stud 48 pass through interior cutouts of the webs and lips ofthe tracks 30 and 32 such that an exterior of the flanges of the studs36 and 38 and of the center stud abut the interior of the flanges of thetracks 26, 28, 36, and 38. The fastening plates 34 are at these abutmentareas. The five vertical studs 36, 38, 44, 46, and 48, for example, maybe spaced 24″ on center. The point at which the inboard studs 44 and 46and the center stud 48 pass through the tracks 30 and 32 is a hingeconnection (i.e., a single fastener allows for rotation). The studs ofthe panel 114 also serve to support drywall, conduit, wiring, plumbingassemblies, etc.

The panel 114 also contains a continuous V-shaped bracing. ThisV-Bracing is unique in its design and engineering. The two legs of theV-brace are V-brace studs 54 and 56. The V-brace stud 54 is anchored tothe side stud 36 just below the tracks 30 and 32 by the seismic yieldingconnector 104 and to the bottom track 28 by an apex plate 60 and passesthrough an interior cutout in the web of the inboard stud 44. The web ofthe V-brace stud 54 abuts one flange of each of the studs 36 and 44 andthe track 28.

Similarly, the V-brace stud 56 is anchored to the side stud 38 justbelow the tracks 30 and 32 by the seismic yielding connector 110 and tothe bottom track 28 by apex plate 60 and passes through the interiorcutout in the inboard stud 46. The web of the V-brace stud 56 abuts oneflange of each of the studs 38 and 46 and the track 28.

The V-brace studs 54 and 56 are positioned with their webs parallel tothe webs of the studs 36, 44, 48, 46, and 38 of the panel 114. Also, theV-brace studs 54 and 56 run continuously from immediately below thetracks 30 and 32 through the inboard studs 44 and 46 to the apex of a“V” at substantially the middle of the bottom track 28. The connectionat the apex of the V-bracing is facilitated by an apex plate 60 andstructural welds, which interconnect the V-brace studs 54 and 56 and thecenter stud 48. The plate 60, the bottom track 28, and the stud 48 andthe V-brace studs 54 and 56 are interconnected by welds. The inboardstud 46 is also attached by fastening plates 34 and welds to the toptrack 26 and to the tracks 30 and 32 at the point where the inboard stud46 passes through the interior cutouts 52 in the tracks 30 and 32. Theapex plate 60 may be formed from a material such as 18-14 gauge coldroll steel.

The connections of the V-brace studs 54 and 56, to the side studs 36 and38, to the center stud 48, and to the track 28 are moment connectionsand improve the lateral structural performance of the panel 114. Theseconnections facilitate the transfer of most of the lateral forces actingon the panel 114 to the structural columns 116 and 118 of the seismicyielding panel 100.

The panel 114 also contains a track 62 providing horizontal bracing. Thetrack 62 is located, for example, mid-way in the V-Brace formed by theV-brace studs 54 and 56. The track 62 has the end cutouts to accommodatethe inboard studs 44 and 46, has the interior cutout 52 to accommodatethe center stud 48, and is anchored by fasteners to the inboard studs 44and 46 and to the center stud 48. The track 62 contributes to thelateral-force structural performance of the panel 114.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an example seismic yieldingconnector connecting a panel to a structural column 218. The seismicyielding connector includes a U-shaped plate 220, a yielding plate 222,a high strength bolt (not shown), and an outer bushing (not shown). Theseismic yielding connector is shown connecting the right side of a panelto a column 218. The corner of the panel is formed by a track 26, atruss configuration area webbing 56, and a side stud 38, all welded tothe U-shaped plate 220.

The U-shaped plate 220 is connected to the side stud 38 in a way thatcreates a pocket formed by the U-shaped plate 220 and the outer surfaceof the side stud 38. This pocket provides a space for the yielding plate222. The yielding plate 222 is configured to plastically deform during aseismic event. In some implementations, the thickness of the yieldingplate 222 may depend on where the yielding plate 222 is located within alarger structure. For example, in a building with multiple stories, ayielding plate located on a higher story may have a smaller thickness,because more displacement is tolerable at a higher story during aseismic event.

The U-shaped plate 220 may be welded to each of the track 26, the trussconfiguration area webbing 56, and the side stud 38 using welding slotslocated on the U-shaped plate 220. To simplify construction, theU-shaped plate 220 may be fastened to the panel initially using rivetsin each of the side stud 38, the truss configuration area webbing 56,and the track 26. The rivets help to hold the components in place forsimpler, more accurate welding. The U-shaped plate 220, yielding plate222, and the side stud 38 are connected to the column 218 by a highstrength bolt, bushings, and washers (not shown in FIG. 2 and discussedfurther below).

The U-shaped plate 220 may be manufactured from cold-formed steel. Thesize, shape, and configuration of welding slots on the U-shaped plate220 will change depending on where on a panel the U-shaped plate 220 islocated. For example, referring to FIG. 1, the U-shaped plate that ispart of the seismic yielding connector 110 is larger than the U-shapedplate that is part of the seismic yielding connector 108 to accommodatefor the angle of the truss configuration area webbing 56. Similarly, theU-shaped plates that are part of the seismic yielding connector 106 and112 have fewer welding slots than other U-shaped plates because theyjoin side studs 36 and 38, respectively, to the bottom track 28.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example seismic yielding connector connecting apanel to a structural column. The seismic yielding connector is shownconnecting the right side of a panel to a column 318. The U-shaped plate320 wraps around a side stud 38 of the panel. Additionally, the U-shapedplate 320 serves as the connection between the side stud 38, a track 26,and a truss configuration area webbing 56 of the panel. The U-shapedplate 320 is attached to the side stud 38 such that a pocket 326 iscreated by the U-shaped plate 320 and the side stud 38. The pocket 326is where a yielding plate (not shown) is placed.

An outer bushing 324 is located between the column 318 and the rightface of the U-shaped plate 320. When seismic forces are exerted on theseismic yielding connector, the U-shaped plate 320 and the yieldingplate deform around the outer bushing 324. The outer bushing 324 createsspace for the U-shaped plate 320 and the yielding plate to deformwithout coming into contact with the column 318. Additionally, the roundshape of the outer bushing 324 allows for easy quality control in thefield.

In some implementations, the outer diameter of the outer bushing 324 maydepend on where the outer bushing 324 is located within a largerstructure. For example, when the outer bushing 324 is located on ahigher floor in a multi-story building, the outer diameter may besmaller, to allow for more deformation of the U-shaped plate 320 and theyielding plate.

FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of an example seismic yielding connectorconnecting a panel to a structural column. A U-shaped plate 420 isattached to a track 26 of a panel. The U-shaped plate 420 is attached ina way that creates a pocket for a yielding plate 422. To attach thetrack 26 and side stud 38 to a column 418, a high strength bolt 430 isinserted through a side stud 38, the yielding plate 422, the U-shapedplate 420, and the column 418. A washer 436 may be included between thehead of the high strength bolt 430 and the column 418. An outer bushing424 provides spacing between the U-shaped plate 420 and the column 418.In some implementations, an inner bushing 428 is located between theside stud 38 and a nut 432. The nut 432 secures the high strength bolt430. In some implementations, the inner bushing 428 may be threaded,eliminating the need for the nut 432.

In other implementations, the high strength bolt 430 goes from the sidestud 38 through the yielding plate 422, the outer bushing 424, and thecolumn 418. The end of the high strength bolt 430 may be secured insidethe column 418 using a variety of securing mechanisms, including,without limitation, a nut, washer, threaded bushing, or threaded plate.

The yielding plate 422 is made from ductile steel. The front edges ofthe yielding plate 422 may be rounded to fit into the U-shaped plate 420and to avoid stress concentrations when the yielding plate 422 deformswhen seismic loads are placed on the seismic yielding connector. Theyielding plate 422 may be a variety of thicknesses, and differentthicknesses of yielding plates 422 may be more desirable in differentparts of a building. For example, because the thickness of the yieldingplate 422 controls the displacement of the U-shaped plate 422, a thickeryielding plate 422 may be used in a seismic yielding connector that isinstalled on the lower floor of a tall building, where less displacementis tolerable during seismic events. Conversely, a yielding plate 422with a smaller thickness may be used in a seismic yielding connectorthat is installed on the upper floor of a tall building, where moredisplacement is tolerable during a seismic event.

When seismic forces are applied to the seismic yielding connector, theyielding plate 422 and the U-shaped plate 420 deform around the outerbushing 424. Like the variety of thicknesses possible for the yieldingplate 422, the outer bushing 424 may be a variety of diameters dependingon where in the building the seismic yielding connector is located. Theassortment of yielding plate 422 thicknesses and outer bushing 424diameters provides a useful range of design capacities.

The seismic yielding connector creates a ductile connection, providing alarge displacement capacity, which is necessary to meet the buildingcode criterion for collapse prevention in the maximum consideredearthquake ground motions (MCE ground motions). The seismic yieldingconnector continues to gain strength following yield of the steelthrough strain hardening of the material and geometric stiffening atlarge displacements. This strength gain is very helpful for collapseprevention in the MCE ground motions. The configuration of the seismicyielding connector also provides a simple method for computation of theyield design mechanism. The seismic yielding connector is designed to beweak enough to avoid premature failure of important cold-formed steelelements in the load path. The strength and ductility of the seismicyielding connector also provides resistance to progressive collapse of astructure given the loss of a steel column.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of an example seismic yieldingconnector connecting a panel to a structural column. The seismicyielding connector connects a track 26, a truss configuration areawebbing 56, and a side stud 38 to a column 518. The seismic yieldingconnector includes a U-shaped plate 520, a yielding plate (not shown),and a high strength bolt 530. The U-shaped plate 520 is attached to thetrack 26, the truss configuration area webbing 56, and the side stud 38.In one implementation, the track 26, the truss configuration areawebbing 56, and the side stud 38 may be welded to the U-shaped plate 520using welding slots located on the U-shaped plate 520. The U-shapedplate 520 may also have holes for rivets. The rivets may hold theU-shaped plate 520 in place with respect to the track 26, the trussconfiguration area webbing 56, and the side stud 38 during the weldingprocess. The U-shaped plate 520 is attached to the side stud 38 so thata pocket is created by the U-shaped plate 520 and the side stud 38. Theyielding plate is located within the pocket created by the U-shapedplate 520 and the side stud 38.

The column 518 is attached to the seismic yielding connector with a highstrength bolt 530. The high strength bolt 530 goes through the side stud38, the yielding plate, the U-shaped plate 520, an outer bushing (notshown), and the column 518. An inner bushing 528 and a nut 532 may beused to secure the high strength bolt 830 inside the side stud 38. Insome implementations, the inner bushing 528 is threaded, so anadditional nut 532 is not needed to secure the inner bushing 528. Awasher may be placed between the head of the high strength bolt 530 andthe column 518.

In other implementations, the high strength bolt 530 goes from the sidestud 38 through the yielding plate 522, the outer bushing 524, and thecolumn 518. The end of the high strength bolt 530 may be secured insidethe column 518 using a nut, washer, threaded bushing, or threaded plate.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of an example seismic yieldingconnector connecting a panel to a structural column 618, where athreaded connector plate 640 is used inside the structural column 618.The seismic yielding connector connects a track 26, a trussconfiguration area webbing 56, and a side stud 38 to the structuralcolumn 618. The seismic yielding connector includes a U-shaped plate620, a yielding plate 622, a high strength bolt 630, and an outerbushing (not shown). The U-shaped plate 620 is attached to the track 26,the truss configuration area webbing 56, and the side stud 32. In oneimplementation, the track 26, the truss configuration area webbing 56,and the side stud 32 are all welded to the U-shaped plate 620 usingwelding slots located on the U-shaped plate 620. The U-shaped plate 620may also have holes for rivets. The rivets may hold the U-shaped plate620 in place with respect to the track 26, the truss configuration areawebbing 56, and the side stud 38 during the welding process. TheU-shaped plate 620 is attached to the side stud 32 so that a pocket iscreated by the U-shaped plate 620 and the side stud 38. The yieldingplate 622 is located within the pocket created by the U-shaped plate 620and the side stud 38.

The structural column 618 is attached to the seismic yielding connectorwith the high strength bolt 630. The high strength bolt 630 goes throughan inner bushing 628, the side stud 38, the yielding plate 622, theU-shaped plate 620, an outer bushing (not shown), and the structuralcolumn 618. The threaded connecter plate 640 is located inside thecolumn 618. The threaded connector plate 640 secures the high-strengthbolt 630 inside the column 618 using threaded holes (e.g., a threadedhole 642). As shown, the threaded end 630 b of the high-strength bolt630 is secured by the threaded plate 640.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of an example seismic yieldingconnector connecting a panel to a structural column 718, where athreaded connector plate 740 is used inside the structural column 718.The seismic yielding connector connects a track 26, a trussconfiguration area webbing 56, and a side stud 38 to a column 718. Theseismic yielding connector includes a U-shaped plate 720, a yieldingplate (not shown), and a high strength bolt 730. The U-shaped plate 720is attached to the track 26, the truss configuration area webbing 56,and the side stud 38. In one implementation, the track 26, the trussconfiguration area webbing 56, and the side stud 38 are all welded tothe U-shaped plate 720 using welding slots located on the U-shaped plate720. The U-shaped plate 720 may also have holes for rivets. The rivetsmay hold the U-shaped plate 720 in place with respect to the track 26,the truss configuration area webbing 56, and the side stud 38 during thewelding process. The U-shaped plate 720 is attached to the side stud 38so that a pocket is created by the U-shaped plate 720 and the side stud38. The yielding plate is located within the pocket created by theU-shaped plate 720 and the side stud 38.

The structural column 718 is attached to the seismic yielding connectorwith a high strength bolt 730. The high strength bolt 730 goes throughan inner bushing 728, the side stud 38, the yielding plate, the U-shapedplate 720, an outer bushing (not shown), and the structural column 718.The threaded connector plate 740 is located inside the structural column718. The threaded connector plate 740 secures the high strength bolt 730inside the structural column 718 through threaded holes (e.g., athreaded hole 742).

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate example seismic yielding connectorsimplemented on I beams. FIG. 8A illustrates a top view of an exampleseismic yielding connector implemented on an I beam. FIG. 8B illustratesa front view of an example seismic yielding connector implemented on anI beam. In this implementation, the seismic yielding connector consistsof a yielding tube 844, a high strength bolt 830, a bushing 824, and athreaded connector plate 840. The yielding tube 844 is connected to theI beam 842. In one implementation, the yielding tube 844 is welded tothe I beam 842. The yielding tube 844 is then connected to a column 818using a high strength bolt 830. The high strength bolt 830 goes throughthe yielding tube 844, a bushing 824, and the column 818. In oneimplementation, the high strength bolt 830 is secured using a threadedconnector plate 840. In other implementations, the high strength bolt830 may be secured using any combination of a nut, washer, and bushing.A broken line 846 shows how the yielding tube 844 may deform when theseismic yielding connector is subjected to seismic forces.

FIG. 9 illustrates example operations for assembling a seismic yieldingconnector to connect a panel to a structural column. The seismicyielding connector includes a U-shaped plate, a yielding plate, ahigh-strength bolt, and a bushing. A first inserting operation 902inserts a high-strength bolt through an opening in a structural column.In some implementations, the structural column may have openings cut toaccommodate the height of the seismic yielding connectors with aspecific type of panel. In other implementations, regular openings maybe spaced along the structural column to allow for flexibility.

A fitting operation 904 fits an outer bushing onto the high-strengthbolt. The outer bushing is ultimately located outside the structuralcolumn and between the structural column and a U-shaped plate. The outerbushing provides spacing between the structural column and the U-shapedplate, allowing the U-shaped plate to deform around the outer bushingwhen seismic forces are present. The outer diameter of the outer bushingmay vary to control the deformation of the U-shaped plate. For example,an outer bushing with a bigger outer diameter will allow for lessdeformation of the U-shaped plate than an outer bushing with a smallerouter diameter.

A second inserting operation 906 inserts the high-strength bolt into anopening in the U-shaped plate, an opening in a yielding plate, and anopening in a side stud of a panel. The second inserting operation 906creates the seismic yielding connector. The U-shaped plate is attachedto the side stud of the panel (such as by welding) in a way that leavesa pocket for the yielding plate between the inside surface of theU-shaped plate and the outer surface of the side stud of the panel. TheU-shaped plate may also act as a connector between the side stud of thepanel and other components of the panel.

A securing operation 908 secures the high-strength bolt with an innersecuring mechanism. In some implementations, the inner securingmechanism is an inner bushing. When the inner bushing acts as the innersecuring mechanism, the inner bushing is threaded to secure thehigh-strength bolt in place as part of the seismic yielding connector.In other implementations, a non-threaded inner bushing may be placed onthe high-strength bolt before another inner securing mechanism, such asa nut, is placed on the high-strength bolt to secure the high-strengthbolt in the seismic yielding connector.

The above specification, examples, and data provide a completedescription of the structure and use of exemplary implementations of theinvention. Since many implementations of the invention can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, theinvention resides in the claims hereinafter appended. Furthermore,structural features of the different implementations may be combined inyet another implementation without departing from the recited claims.While embodiments and applications of this invention have been shown,and described, it would be apparent to those skilled in the art havingthe benefit of this disclosure that many more modifications thanmentioned above are possible without departing from the inventiveconcepts herein. The invention, therefore, is not to be restrictedexcept in the spirit of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A seismic yielding connector comprising: aU-shaped plate configured to connect a side stud of a panel to anothercomponent of the panel; a yielding plate located between the U-shapedplate and the side stud of the panel; and a high-strength boltconnecting the U-shaped plate, the yielding plate, and the side stud ofthe panel to a structural column.
 2. The seismic yielding connector ofclaim 1, further comprising a bushing located between the U-shaped plateand the structural column.
 3. The seismic yielding connector of claim 2,wherein an outer diameter of the bushing is dependent on the location ofthe seismic yielding connector within a larger structure.
 4. The seismicyielding connector of claim 2, further comprising: an inner bushinglocated on an inner face of the side stud.
 5. The seismic yieldingconnector of claim 4, wherein the inner bushing is a threaded bushing.6. The seismic yielding connector of claim 1, wherein the yielding platehas rounded edges on at least one face.
 7. A seismic yielding panel, theseismic yielding panel comprising: a panel including an upper trussstructure and one or more side studs; and one or more seismic yieldingconnectors connecting the one or more side studs of the panel to one ormore structural columns, each of the one or more seismic yieldingconnectors comprising: a U-shaped plate configured to connect one of theone or more side studs to another component of the panel; a yieldingplate located between the U-shaped plate and the one of the one or moreside studs of the panel; and a high-strength bolt connecting theU-shaped plate, the yielding plate, and the one of the one or more sidestuds of the panel.
 8. The seismic yielding panel of claim 7, furthercomprising a bushing, located between the U-shaped plate and one of theone or more structural columns.
 9. The seismic yielding panel of claim7, wherein the panel is a moment frame assembly.
 10. The seismicyielding panel of claim 7, wherein a thickness of the yielding plate isdependent on the location of the seismic yielding connector within alarger structure.
 11. The seismic yielding panel of claim 7, wherein anouter diameter of the bushing is dependent on the location of theseismic yielding connector within a larger structure.
 12. The seismicyielding panel of claim 7, wherein at least one of the seismic yieldingconnectors further includes an inner bushing located on an inner face ofthe side stud.
 13. The seismic yielding panel of claim 12, wherein theinner bushing is a threaded bushing.
 14. The seismic yielding panel ofclaim 7, wherein the yielding plate has rounded edges on at least oneface.
 15. A method for connecting a seismic yielding panel to astructural column using a seismic yielding connector, the methodcomprising: inserting a high-strength bolt through an opening in astructural column; inserting the high-strength bolt into an opening in aU-shaped plate, an opening in a yielding plate, and an opening in a sidestud of a panel; and securing the high-strength bolt with an innersecuring mechanism.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the innersecuring mechanism is a threaded bushing.
 17. The method of claim 15,wherein a thickness of the yielding plate is dependent on a location ofthe seismic yielding connector within a larger structure.
 18. The methodof claim 15, further comprising fitting an outer bushing onto thehigh-strength bolt, an outer diameter of the outer bushing beingdependent on a location of the seismic yielding connector within alarger structure.
 19. The method of claim 15, wherein the yielding platehas rounded edges on at least one face.
 20. The method of claim 15,wherein the high-strength bolt is a threaded bolt.